Billy Joel boarded a Greyhound bus along the Hudson River Line to reach this residence, now listed for $2.5 million. The house, which inspired the song “New York State of Mind,” sits just steps away from the Hudson River in Highland Falls, N.Y., approximately 50 miles north of Manhattan. During the 1970s, the Grammy-winning artist and his then-wife Elizabeth Weber rented this roughly 3-acre estate. As Joel journeyed to the house, the lyrics of the song came to him, and he completed it upon arrival. “New York State of Mind” featured on the 1976 album “Turnstiles,” which also included the track “Summer, Highland Falls.”
The carriage house has three bedrooms.
Constructed in the 1950s, the approximately 4,300-square-foot home boasts five bedrooms and panoramic views of the Hudson River, as noted by listing agent Jody Atkinson of Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty. Additionally, the property encompasses a pool, a three-bedroom carriage house, a one-bedroom cottage, and a vineyard.
The carriage house has three bedrooms.
The house’s association with Joel has elevated its status as a distinctive piece of musical heritage, as noted by Sean Donnery, who, along with his sisters Kim and Emily-Kate Donnery, is overseeing the sale of the property. Recounting an encounter from approximately a decade ago, Sean Donnery, who grew up in the residence, shared, “One day, about 10 years ago, I was sitting on the property when a man on a motorcycle pulled up to the edge of the yard.” He continued, “It turned out to be a Billy Joel enthusiast, so we gave him a tour.”
The main house is about 4,300 square feet.
Sean Donnery revealed that his parents, James Peter Donnery and Roxanne Donnery, purchased the property in the 1980s for around $100,000 and resided there until their passing earlier this year.
Billy Joel, shown in 1977 and in 2019, rented the house with then-wife Elizabeth Weber.
Atkinson mentioned that in the late 1800s, the property was a part of J.P. Morgan’s expansive summer estate, encompassing roughly 700 acres, which was later subdivided into individual parcels. He explained that Morgan’s original residence on the estate was destroyed by fire in the 1940s, and the current house was constructed on the same foundation, incorporating materials such as bricks salvaged from Morgan’s home.
The great room was added to the house in the 1980s.
The house’s association with Joel has elevated its status as a distinctive piece of musical heritage, as noted by Sean Donnery, who, along with his sisters Kim and Emily-Kate Donnery, is overseeing the sale of the property. Recounting an encounter from approximately a decade ago, Sean Donnery, who grew up in the residence, shared, “One day, about 10 years ago, I was sitting on the property when a man on a motorcycle pulled up to the edge of the yard.” He continued, “It turned out to be a Billy Joel enthusiast, so we gave him a tour.”
A fireplace in the living room dates back to the original estate.
Sean Donnery revealed that his parents, James Peter Donnery and Roxanne Donnery, purchased the property in the 1980s for around $100,000 and resided there until their passing earlier this year.
Billy Joel, shown in 1977 and in 2019, rented the house with then-wife Elizabeth Weber.
Atkinson mentioned that in the late 1800s, the property was a part of J.P. Morgan’s expansive summer estate, encompassing roughly 700 acres, which was later subdivided into individual parcels. He explained that Morgan’s original residence on the estate was destroyed by fire in the 1940s, and the current house was constructed on the same foundation, incorporating materials such as bricks salvaged from Morgan’s home.
The Billy Joel Room has wallpaper designed to look like sheet music.
Kim Donnery, Sean Donnery’s sister, currently oversees the operation of the bed-and-breakfast.
According to Realtor.com, the median listing price in Highland Falls stands at $399,200. Waterfront properties comparable to this one have sold for upwards of $1 million in recent years, as stated by Atkinson.
The estate has unobstructed Hudson River views.
Atkinson noted that the property’s association with Billy Joel may appeal to prospective buyers who admire his music. “He’s such an iconic songwriter and a significant part of American culture,” she remarked.
